AGUA CALIENTE: CeeLo Green ‘Magic’ interview

Right now, it’s CeeLo Green’s world and we’re all just lucky to live in it.

The singer/TV personality/Las Vegas headliner/soon-to-be-sitcom star has also just released his first holiday album titled “CeeLo’s Magic Moment” and will be appearing at Agua Caliente Casino Resort and Spa Friday, Nov. 16.

iGuide reporter Stephanie Holland was lucky enough to speak with the mult-hyphenate superstar, however, a CeeLo interview is unlike any other and could not be boiled down to a few bite sized pieces. So without further ado here is the unabridged CeeLo conversation.

The Christmas album is traditional and modern at the same time. How did you achieve the balance?

It’s a really daring, dynamic, dazzling array of Christmas classics sung with the sweet soul of CeeLo Green. How could you lose?

With all the holiday classics to choose from, how did you narrow down the track list?

There’s one of two frequencies. There’s either a straight line or a bible sign and a bible sign is up and down. You want the tempos to variate, be young and fresh, new and innovative and exciting. I think that’s going to be real cool.

When you’re working with an act like The Muppets do you approach the song differently?

We definitely shared the next creative space together. As always you wish you can share it with someone you respect and admire. Sometimes it’s with a peer, sometimes it’s with something much larger than yourself, and The Muppets is that in comparison to me. I’m a big fan, I always have been. I’m a child at heart and Christmas always brings that out in many of us. It just seemed pretty perfect.

What can our readers expect from the Agua Caliente show?

It’s just about having fun. My show is like a Pandora station with pictures

Speaking of live shows, how are preparations coming for the Vegas show?

It’s developing quite nicely. Anybody who wants to have fun, jump up and down, anybody who’s got disco fever I think they can come and get that description feel at CeeLo Green is Loberace Feb. 27, 2013. If the world doesn’t end come on out and see the show.

It seems like your show and your music are tailor made for Las Vegas?

You know what I’m saying, bright lights baby!

Side note: This interview took place while Green was out to dinner so at this point he momentarily stopped to ask a waitress for more butter.

You’re so unapologetically yourself and have become a role model for outsiders. Is that something you ever aspired to be?

That’s most certainly what I’m able to be. It has been exceptional and it has been out loud and at large. It’s really a love letter addressed to whom it may concern.

Side note: CeeLo ended the previous answer with the following: “You like the way I answer things don’t you girl.” This response made this officially the best interview ever.

Have you seen the makeup of the live crowd change since the success of “Forget You” and “The Voice?”

It’s gotten bigger and better and broader. Still the same love though.

On the show are you listening for something specific or is it more of a gut feeling or instinct?

I think you almost have to listen to hear yourself. If you can hear yourself in someone chances are you two possibly could have been influenced by the same thing. So if I can hear myself in someone it’s a little safer to assume they may like what I like.

How’s the new music coming along?

I’m working on new music as we speak. So many things to consider, so many people to consider. We can just record a variety of songs and the hardest part about it is narrowing them down. It’s not a lack of music that’s for sure.

You’ve got so much going on right now how are you keeping it all balanced?

I appreciate the hard work. I have that willingness to work hard. The challenge itself is hard work, because at least I know I’m earning my keep. I’m not getting something for nothing. That would drive suckers crazy. They could not appreciate such a thing. I work hard enough at the end of the day I’m like ‘man I must love it.’ Because I work hard for it, I remain affectionate toward it because I love it. It’s a labor of love.

Even though you have all this stuff going on, at the end of the day is music and performing still your favorite thing?

The arts are my favorite. Acting, inventing, activism. I love it all and it’s all the full spectrum. It’s the full you. I think I’m capable of doing them all in some capacity or another but one at a time.

People may like it, they may dislike it, but they won’t miss it and what’s even better than that is when you decide to come to check it out it’s usually good.

CeeLo Green is definitely one of a kind and can’t be classified by a single label. “CeeLo’s Magic Moment” is out now and “The Voice” airs Mondays and Tuesdays at 8 p.m. on NBC.